Alireza Arafi (Iranian Politician) Biography

Quick Info

Profession	Politician, Iranian Cleric
Nationality	Iranian
Birthplace	Meybod, Yazd province, Iran

Latest News about Alireza Arafi

01/03/2026

Ayatollah Alireza Arafi was appointed as a member of Iran's Interim Leadership Council on 1 March 2026, one day after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on 28 February 2026. The Interim Leadership Council, which also includes President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i, will exercise the Supreme Leader's powers until the Assembly of Experts elects a permanent successor. Arafi's appointment reflects his institutional leverage as a member of both the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts.

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Bio/Wiki

Full Name	Ayatollah Alireza Arafi
Known For	Being one of three-members Interim Leadership Council in Iran, after the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on 28 February 2026. Being a member of Iran's Interim Leadership Council following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on 28 February 2026. Serving as head of Iran's seminaries since 2016. Membership in the Guardian Council since 2019. Friday Prayer Imam of Qom since 2015.

Physical Stats & More

Eye Color	Black

Educational Qualification(s)

College/University	Qom Seminary
Education	Qom Seminary Islamic Clergy Achieved rank of Mujtahid

Personal Life

Religion	Islam
Denomination	Twelver Shi'a
Jurisprudence	Ja'fari
Creed	Usuli

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Married

Family

Father	Ayatollah Mohammad Ibrahim al-Arafi

Career

Overview	Arafi was raised in a clerical family involved in the foundation of the Islamic Republic, beginning his religious education at the age of 11 in Qom. As a preacher and writer, he gained prominence during the Islamic Revolution and became a Friday prayer leader, eventually holding significant positions within Iranian religious and political institutions. He was appointed as the head of Al-Mustafa International University, where he claimed to have converted millions to Shia Islam. Alireza Arafi’s influence grew after he joined major councils and leadership positions, culminating in a role in the Interim Leadership Council post-2026. He is an author of over 20 books on Islamic jurisprudence and philosophy. Arafi was born in 1959 in Meybod, Yazd province, into a clerical family closely connected to the Islamic Republic's religious networks. He began his religious education at age 11 in Qom under prominent scholars including Ayatollah Ali Meshkini. Before the 1979 Iranian Revolution, he worked as a preacher and writer. His public profile increased significantly after Ali Khamenei became Supreme Leader in 1989. In 1992, at age 33, he was appointed Friday prayer leader of Meybod. He subsequently held the position of Friday prayer leader of Qom from 2015 onwards. He served as President of Al-Mustafa International University from 2008 to 2018, overseeing the training of clerics on a global scale. In July 2016, Khamenei appointed him as head of Iran's seminaries nationwide at age 57. In July 2019, he was appointed to the 12-member Guardian Council, a constitutional body responsible for reviewing legislation and supervising elections. On 1 March 2026, following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on 28 February 2026, Arafi was appointed as a member of the Interim Leadership Council alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i. He also holds a position in the Assembly of Experts, which will appoint Khamenei's successor. He is the author of over 20 books on Islamic jurisprudence and philosophy.

Overview

Arafi was raised in a clerical family involved in the foundation of the Islamic Republic, beginning his religious education at the age of 11 in Qom.
As a preacher and writer, he gained prominence during the Islamic Revolution and became a Friday prayer leader, eventually holding significant positions within Iranian religious and political institutions.
He was appointed as the head of Al-Mustafa International University, where he claimed to have converted millions to Shia Islam.
Alireza Arafi’s influence grew after he joined major councils and leadership positions, culminating in a role in the Interim Leadership Council post-2026.
He is an author of over 20 books on Islamic jurisprudence and philosophy.
Arafi was born in 1959 in Meybod, Yazd province, into a clerical family closely connected to the Islamic Republic's religious networks. He began his religious education at age 11 in Qom under prominent scholars including Ayatollah Ali Meshkini.
Before the 1979 Iranian Revolution, he worked as a preacher and writer. His public profile increased significantly after Ali Khamenei became Supreme Leader in 1989.
In 1992, at age 33, he was appointed Friday prayer leader of Meybod. He subsequently held the position of Friday prayer leader of Qom from 2015 onwards.
He served as President of Al-Mustafa International University from 2008 to 2018, overseeing the training of clerics on a global scale.
In July 2016, Khamenei appointed him as head of Iran's seminaries nationwide at age 57.
In July 2019, he was appointed to the 12-member Guardian Council, a constitutional body responsible for reviewing legislation and supervising elections.
On 1 March 2026, following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on 28 February 2026, Arafi was appointed as a member of the Interim Leadership Council alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i. He also holds a position in the Assembly of Experts, which will appoint Khamenei's successor.
He is the author of over 20 books on Islamic jurisprudence and philosophy.

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Raised in a family closely connected to the Islamic Republic’s religious networks.
2. Moved to Qom for advanced religious studies, where he learned various subjects including mathematics and philosophy.
3. Gained recognition after Ali Khamenei became Supreme Leader in 1989 and served as Friday prayer leader.
4. Headed the seminaries nationwide and became a key member of the Guardian Council overseeing elections and legislation.
5. Had a rare private audience with Pope Francis, highlighting his position in interfaith dialogue.
6. Moved to Qom at age 11 for advanced religious studies under prominent religious scholars.
7. Earned the rank of Mujtahid, qualifying him to issue independent Islamic legal rulings.
8. Systematically elevated within Iran's clerical hierarchy following Khamenei's rise to power in 1989.
9. Viewed as a prominent hardline cleric and staunch loyalist to the core ideology of the Islamic Republic.
10. Worked to internationalize the Islamic Republic's ideological agenda through his roles in seminaries and Al-Mustafa University.
11. Sees the principal enemy of Shi'a Islam to be the Saudi version of Islam, referred to by the Iranian regime as Wahhabism.

Alireza Arafi Politician, Iranian Cleric Iranian Meybod, Yazd province, Iran